Not weight related, but I need help. Homemade Party Favors for 5-year-olds party.HELP

I am trying to come up with fun favors for my sons party, he invited the whole class, as of right now only 4 rsvp, the rest still have a week to respond. Anyway, I know that in the past it has become costly & I don't want to go there this year. We would like to do a pinata, I was just going to get bags for the children to pick up the candy, do I really have to go all out for favors???? Uh parties, more stress than anything. PLEASE HELP. I was also thinking sugar free candy, because we are all watching our food intake in our home.

Sun. Feb 10, 11:25am

I like your idea with the pinata and little treat bags for the kids - it's kind of like a assemble your own gift bag. As I attend more and more birthday parties - I've come to realize the fancy schmancy gift bags are more for the parents - the kids love anything they get no matter what the cost! My daughter was thrilled to get one piece of a Reese's cup in a party bag that she got recently. The 'fancier' things she has gotten have pretty much fallen by the wayside. And sugar free is fine, include little toys and trinkets in the pinata, too! And maybe have some stuff you don't put in the pinata so you can fill up their bags a little more for equity's sake.

If nothing else, just be confident with your decision - other parents will actually appreciate the simplicity as they then feel it gives them permission to simplify things for their own kid's parties.

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 11:58 AM

OP here, I was also thinking about like little matchboxes for the boys & lip gloss for the girls, having it all in the pinata.

Thank you for your ideas.

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 2:40 PM

Another idea would be to incorporate the activity of the party into the 'favor.' If the party is a Spiderman party (for example), allow the kid to decorate their own cupcakes as a "favor" or think of a party activity that they could take with them afterwards. We used to have a fall party, and the best part was that we each drew on a small pumpkin, but got to take it with us afterwards. The pinata idea is a great one!

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 2:41 PM

5 year olds don't care if they get "favors" from a party. It's just another toy/candy that they'll eat and forgot they ever got. Distract them with enough activities, and they'll be happy as clams... though I too like the pinata idea.. (except i hope you mean matchbox cars.. not actual matchboxes)

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 5:58 PM

I like the idea of the pinata. However I don't think I would use sugar free candy because any that I have had any experience with cause a great deal of gas or diareah if you eat more than one piece. And 5 year olds don't do very well with moderation.
Just a thought.

Party favors, try looking at a dollar store. They have toys for partys like 6 or 8 cheap toys per pkg. And you could mostly fill the pinata with those and just a little candy.

Loved the idea for the cupcakes and let them decorate them.
Mostly just try and have fun.

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 8:00 PM

An idea for the bags they put the pinata stuff in

My daughter and I recently went to an Ariel party which also had a pinata. As the first activity, the mother set out brown lunch bags, Ariel coloring pages printed off the computer, ribbons, beads, glue and a variety of coloring intruments. The girls decorated their bags & they used them to gather up the pinata stuff. Another activity was to string necklaces w/ plastic "beachy" beads. that went into the goodie bag too. The only additional thing that went into the bag was a sheet of Ariel stickers. The mom did a great job w/ the Ariel theme and she said she got a lot of the ideas online.

One comment about putting the cars/lip gloss in the pinata: at the party we went to the hard candy flew across the room and shattered. those girls could hit! heavier stuff might be too dangerous. maybe do a scavenger hunt for those things and they go in the bag the kids make as well.

good luck!

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 8:34 PM

OP here, doing the pinata w/ the pull strings....there will be older kids as well & don't want bats flying or our family to be on Americas Funniest Videos. & yes I meant the matchbox cars.

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 9:53 PM

I definitely would use regular candy, not sugar-free. As sugar-free candies have chemicals, etc., in them, and can cause diarrhea, I'd be annoyed if someone else gave them to my child. I agree with maybe finding other little trinkets to put in the pinata. I remember when I was little, we'd always order party favors from the Oriental Trading Company - they sell cheap crap for, well, cheap. They used to be a catalog; now they are online. Link below.

Link

Monday, February 11, 2008, 1:43 PM

no she meant a real box of matches for the 5 year olds.
DUH - thanks for taking up cyber space for no reason.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 12:41 AM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge